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Popular dining facility within Vineyards Country Club is being renovated

The multi-million dollar, multi-phase renovations of Vineyards Country Club and its surrounding areas is continuing with the expansion and redesign of Mr. P’s Pub, the community’s popular, casual upscale restaurant.

According to Maria Procacci, one of Vineyards Country Club’s owners, the sports lounge-style facility is being redesigned with an emphasis on indoor/outdoor transitional spaces. The existing area is being enlarged to increase seating capacity from 70 to more than 200 members, enhancing its capabilities as an event venue for groups of various sizes.

In partnership with contractor Premier Builders and interior design firm Peacock + Lewis, the facility’s reconfiguration includes the creation of a large, rectangular bar to serve as a gathering area for members to mingle with each other. Twenty televisions will be installed to allow viewers to watch multiple sporting events simultaneously. The ceiling will feature aesthetically pleasing, sound-absorbing acoustical panels designed to maximize sound control and reduce the reverberation reflecting within the space.

According to Vineyards Country Club co-owner Annette Procacci-Brennan, the pub’s carpeted flooring was replaced with a new tile flooring resembling hard wood, for a classic look consistent with the comfortable atmosphere and integrating the family’s Italian tradition into the design and materials.

“Large banquettes will be installed to further create a living room/private dining room experience,” she explained. “Additional renovations include new fixtures and transitionally themed décor to complement the redesigned color scheme.”

A private dining area within the facility, separated from the main area by a temperature-controlled wine display wall, will hold up to 40 seats.

“When not in use, these seats will be used for overflow in the pub’s main dining area,” said co-owner Michael Procacci, Jr. “An open kitchen will allow diners to view the culinary team at work throughout the meal preparation process,” he explained.

Along the east side of the clubhouse, floor-to-ceiling pocketing sliding glass doors along the back will open to transition from the indoors to the outdoors seamlessly. The bar and dining space will extend outdoors, where the expanded and newly reconfigured covered terrace area will feature fire pits and a new seating configuration to capture exceptional views of the golf course and gorgeous mature landscaping.

“Whether it’s gathering with friends for a meal or to watch a popular sporting event, Mr. P’s Pub is one of the most popular spots in Vineyards Country Club,” said Paul Malonson, Vineyards Country Club Chief Operating Officer. “We are thrilled that, with its expansion, more of our members and guests will be able to enjoy the comfortable atmosphere found here.”

One component to remain unchanged is the warm, friendly, sports lounge-style atmosphere. The center of the renovated Mr. P’s Pub will be highlighted by a large mural featuring photographs of Bari, Italy, the Procacci brothers’ hometown, as well as images from various milestones achieved throughout their domestic and international business careers.

“The mural is going to be the heart of the room,” said Maria Procacci. “This is the most exciting element for us.”

Additional club renovations include a new entry lobby and terraces overlooking the golf course; enhanced clubhouse exterior and Porte Cochère; expansion of the Bocce Courts, and new golf Pro Shop, Locker Rooms and Card Rooms.

The Porte Cochère and Clubhouse have been gutted and completely redesigned. The main lobby, which previously included a fireplace and enclosed area, was opened by removing a large wall, and glass pocketing doors were installed to allow panoramic views of the golf course and surrounding landscaping while increasing natural light in the space. The lobby features new custom carpeting in a soft, organic color palette with light colors and patterns. The carpeting was removed and replaced with Italian porcelain tile in all areas except the dining rooms. The clubhouse’s rear terraces are being redesigned to include a large fire pit and seating area adjacent to the dining rooms, as an extension of the indoor/outdoor gathering areas perfect for socializing while appreciating scenic views or enjoying one of the community’s numerous live music events.

“The redesigned clubhouse offers a fresh new design scheme incorporating lots of personal touches based on the Procacci family history,” said Migena Gace of Peacock + Lewis Architects and Planners. “The open design and light color palette of sky and water colors – blues and whites – combine with new flooring, fixtures and furnishings to create a really comfortable, casual country club feel.”

“Vineyards Country Club is designed to offer a family-oriented, inclusive, social atmosphere with something for everyone,” explained Gace. “ We are glad to have so many new resources available today to help bring the family’s vision to life; the finished product will never go out of style.”

On the north side of the clubhouse, the Porte Cochère area enhancements include removal, refinishing and repainting of the exterior marble columns. In the lobby, the ceiling has been raised with floor to ceiling, glass pocketing doors added along the building’s east side, while framing, drywall and primer is completed for the new conference room. Tray ceilings are nearing completion in Mr. P’s Pub, the walls are being primed and the new kitchen is progressing on schedule. Tile selections for the locker rooms are complete and currently being installed, with the golf pro shop completed and locker rooms progressing on schedule for completion later this year.

In January, Peacock + Lewis and contractor Premiere Builders completed the clubhouse renovation’s first phase, which was highlighted by the design and construction of a new, 15,000 square foot, standalone wellness center and spa.

The award-winning Wellness Center and Spa includes a variety of amenities and services to promote lifelong well-being. The Blue Zones Project-recognized facility is designed to provide a comfortable and personalized workout experience, offering wellness programming, cardiovascular and strength training equipment by Life Fitness; personal training, small group training and fitness classes; individualized training is also available; Café V, a Blue Zones-certified Café serving healthy shakes, smoothies and healthy menus to accommodate all palates. The wellness center also offers a physical therapy department with customized services provided by Naples Rehabilitative Services. Complementary to the fitness and wellness programming, the resort-style spa offers services such as massage therapy treatments, body treatments and facials by Naturopathica; a couples spa suite; a private manicure and pedicure boutique; blow-dry bar and makeup studio; men’s barbershop services; halotherapy salt room; men’s and ladies locker rooms with dry sauna and alt whirlpools; and a heated, outdoor saltwater half-Olympic size lap pool.

Additional renovations of the clubhouse’s first phase include updating the 4,200 square-foot Oakmont and 3,300 square-foot Fairmont dining rooms. Both dining rooms, as well as the Acqua poolside tiki bar, underwent complete interior redesigns, based on space and volume. Upon removal of the dining rooms’ ceilings, designers discovered vaulted tray ceiling structures which were hidden under the existing, two foot by two foot acoustical ceiling tiles, which resulted in low, eight-foot ceilings. This discovery led to an innovative redesign based on the new ceiling volume. The end result is larger spaces with higher ceilings with beautiful tongue-in-groove details. Both dining rooms feature custom fixtures including large, eight feet by eight feet chandeliers with crystal leaves. The bar areas include glossy, painted cabinetry finishes with imported marble, granite and quartzite countertops throughout.

The clubhouse also offers a new, climate-controlled wine locker with cooling units designed to maintain a consistent temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13C), allowing members the convenience of storing their personal wine collections in the clubhouse. The wine cooling units keep an optimal level of humidity in the cellar and will only partially take away moisture as required, in contrast to conventional air conditioners, which strip humidity from the space and create cork drying hazards. Climate controls slow the aging process and allow for certain chemical reactions to occur slowly over time giving the wine complex aromas, characteristics, color, and flavors.

One highlight of the renovation project is the addition of an herb garden in front of the clubhouse, built to enhance the culinary experience. Custom boxes were built in front of the facility’s administration wing, where plants receive four to six hours of daily sunlight. The herb garden includes basil, rosemary, thyme, dill, parsley, cilantro, chives, bay leaves, oregano, lemongrass, mint, and peppermint. The herbs are used in all of Vineyards Country Club’s food and beverage menu items.

Other project elements include creating three small banquet rooms on the clubhouse’s south side; re-roofing the clubhouse; repainting the clubhouse and racquet center; replacing the clubhouse and racquet center windows and doors; creation of the new Acqua pool bar and facilities; building the golf course’s new short game practice facility, chipping and putting facility, renovated restrooms, and hallway/restroom renovations on the clubhouse’s north side.

The entire renovation project is scheduled for completion in early 2020.

Vineyards Country Club is located just east of Interstate 75 between Pine Ridge and Vanderbilt Beach roads. For membership or residential information, call 239-353-1500, visit online at vineyardscountryclubnaples.com, or visit the community’s Administration Office, located at 400 Vineyards Blvd., Naples.